Exiles on Main Street

by Lisa Kleinholz

The Scoop Of A LifetimeWorking as a reporter for a small-town newspaper can be a bit dull for a glamorous former rock 'n' roll writer like Zoe Szabo. But after life in the fast lane nearly killed her... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061014117
• ISBN13: 9780061014116
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: HarperTorch
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

She Wanted a New Life, But Found a Murder

EXILES ON MAIN STREET opens with Zoe Szabo walking up to a snow covered car in the mall parking lot in Greymont, Massachusetts. The Cambodian immigrant woman in it had a little blood frozen on the corner of her mouth. She had been repeatedly stabbed. She was very dead.Zoe, who had been working for Rolling Stone Magazine and had moved from the Rock scene in LA to get away from the fast and wild life, is seeking a small town normal existence, because her musician husband had a drug problem. Hopefully she could raise her kids quietly and her husband could stay clean in New England.But the killing takes over her life, as she's first and foremost a reporter. She'd done some stories on the Cambodian community in Greymont and that gives her an edge in her investigation into the crime. And there are several theories. Was the woman killed by the boyfriend who broke off their engagement? Or had she been the victim of a hate crime? Was she murdered by someone in her family for breaking with the old Cambodian ways? Or was she killed by a Khmer Rouge assassin? Zoe uses her contacts in the Cambodian community to chase what she believes is the story of a lifetime. However she's got plenty of other stuff to worry about besides a story. She has to find time for her kids and her husband, who wants to form a band and jump back in to the rock and roll lifestyle. And all the while she's getting closer and closer to the killer.This is an excellent book that will both open your eyes to how hard it is for many immigrants to assimulate into their new country and entertain you as you race through the pages to its exciting climax.Reviewed by Stephanie Sane

Maybe the Perfect Town isn't so Perfect, After All

Greymont, Massachusetts is the perfect place to raise a couple small children, the perfect place to have a normal life. At least that's what rock journalist Zoe Szabo thought when she'd moved her family to the small New England College town. No more chasing after her musician husband as he toured with his band, plus away from that life would make it easier for him to stay clean. Once settled, Zoe got a job on the Greymont Evening Eagle and went about the business of making her dream of normalcy come true. She'd been working on a story about the Cambodian immigrant community and how difficult it is for them to fit into the new England lifestyle, when she discovers the body of a Cambodian woman in a snow covered car in the parking lot of the local mall. She may have moved away from the big city, but she still knows a story when she sees one and she knows right of the bat that there is more to this murder than the cops might think. Her instincts lead her down a trail that soon has her thinking that maybe the safe, small town she'd moved her family to isn't the safest place to raise her children, after all? EXILES ON MAIN STREET is an engaging mystery filled with the troubling undertones of racial discrimination, stereotyping and a deep awareness of cultural differences. That said, it's a book I stayed awake with till the wee hours of the morn, a book I thoroughly enjoyed and one I think you will too. Reviewed by Sara Hackett, who just adore's her husband Jack Priest's books Ragged Man, Gecko & Night Witch.

A Beautifully Crafted Mystery - I couldn't Put it Down

It is rare to find a mystery that manages to combine a richly defined cast of characters with a well constructed plot that keeps you turning pages long after you know it's time for bed. But that is exactly what you'll find in Exiles on Mainstreet.The whodunit facets of this tale are extremely well designed. There are twists and turns to the plot that catch you just when you think you know what is going on and make the story that much more compelling. The characters are fully developed and have distinctive voices. The setting is perfectly described. This is an author who can hold her own with authors of detective fiction like Martha Grimes and Lawrence Block who create vibrant characters in distinctive settings and let them lead the reader through emotionally and mentally satifying mystery labyrinths. My only complaint is that I yearn to read more from this author but so far this is her only book!

The best mystery I've read in the past decade!

Exiles on Main Street is a totally engrossing story. I read it from start to finish in one sitting, and am looking forward to Kleinholz's next installment of the adventures of her unlikely heroine-sleuth, Zoe. Zoe's delicate balancing act of professional journalist, mother, wife and investigator left this reader wondering how all the elements of her life could be satisfied...she acquitted herself admirably. In short, I say "Bravo" and "Encore."

Good plot, great characters--a real treat!

Exiles on Main Street is what "mystery fiction" is really all about--a good puzzle combined with well-crafted fiction writing. - The plot--the mystery--was terrific, and I loved the setting, a charming but somewhat stuffy New England college town. Lisa did a really good job of characterizing the various "ethnic" factions, including the original, tight-lipped, Yankee inhabitants. All of her descriptions were true to form, from the professors and students to "do-good" liberal townspeople and reactionary Yankees.The issues raised by the influx in the town of a group that is culturally very distinct (Cambodian refugees) is one reason I consider this book to be a real work of fiction, as well as a mystery. Lisa seems to have a real understanding of cultural issues.And Zoe! What a lady! I loved her, loved her family, loved the "I'm never really on top of this but I just keep floundering along" quality of her daily life. It rings true to many of us.And on top of that--this is a first book! Lisa Kleinholz has a real gift. Send us more Zoe!